For utility contractors
Cable sand for network work
Whether you work for a network operator or as an ICP (an independent connection provider building new connections for adoption), cable laying has to meet the operator’s rules, and their rules point to ENA TS 97-1 for the sand around the cable. We supply cable sand, sand for cement-bound sand or CBS pre-mixed dry, and gravel and sand mix, delivered to site anywhere in the UK.
What you usually need
Cable sand
Selected sand for bedding and blinding at low voltage and 11 kV, where the operator’s rules ask for sand.
Cement-bound sand
Often asked for at 33 kV and above. Sand to mix on site, or CBS pre-mixed dry.
Tipper and artic loads
Loose loads for long runs, bulk bags craned off where a tipper cannot tip.
What matters on your jobs
The paperwork, before work starts
ENA TS 97-1 expects the backfill test documents handed over before the job starts, and jobs get held up when they are missing. Ask for our test certificate with your enquiry.
Testing in the trench
The spec also has routine checks of the compacted sand as the job goes on, so the sand needs to pack down well every load.
Each operator’s own rules
Northern Powergrid, UK Power Networks and the others each set their own bedding and blinding. Tell us the operator and the voltage and we price what their rules ask for.
Loads on programme
Long runs get through a lot of sand. Tell us the programme and we book loads around it.
Substation cable trenches
Cable trenches into and around substations are usually the higher voltage end of the job, where cement-bound sand is often asked for. Tell us the voltage and the spec.
ICPs and IDNOs
Contestable work built for adoption, or for an independent network operator (IDNO), still follows the adopting operator’s rules on sand. Tell us who is adopting.
Questions
Do you supply sand to ENA TS 97-1?
Ask for our test certificate with your enquiry and check it against your spec. We will only say a load meets the standard where the test results show it.
Which sand does a 33 kV job need?
It depends on the operator. Northern Powergrid asks for selected sand or cement-bound sand at 33 kV and above, and UK Power Networks’ rules ask for cement-bound sand. Take it from your drawings and tell us on the form.
Can you deliver to more than one point along the route?
Yes. Tell us where on the route you want each load or set of bulk bags, and any access limits, and we price it that way.
Useful guides
Get a price
Sand for your next cable job
Tell us how much, the site postcode and when. Anywhere in the UK, from a single bulk bag, or 10 tonnes and up loose by tipper.